Platform for hull polishing

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stranded

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This winter I really (no really!) am going to do my own hull polish and wax. Got all the gear except something to stand on. Need a platform about six feet high, preferably with some protection at the top. It is the only thing it will be used for and as my lovely wife will not let me have a car that is in any way practical I will have to hire a van to get whatever i decide on to the yard, so car friendly is not critical, although garage storage space is always at a premium.

Thinking maybe a stepladder might be the easiest and most economical solution - something like this: Aluminium Folding Platform Step Ladders EN131 Professional

But is there a better one - I imagine a proper work platform would be more efficient but it seems like overkill for what might be a one off job? And if I do go for a stepladder, should I also get a cheaper shorter step ladder to do the bottom bit of the topsides, which will start about 7 1/2ft above the ground (I am not very bendy)?
 
A certain amount depends on how close your yard packs the boats in!

A scaffold tower with wheels is luxury. Then you can work sat down some of the time.
I have a tall step ladder which is OK, but you are working twisted to one side.
I borrow something like this:
Werner 3-Section 5-Way Aluminium Combination Ladder With Platform 2.48m - Screwfix
sometimes, it lets you do a decent section of boat before having to dismount and move everything.
And it fits between boats!
 
We hire one every springtime. About £50 for a week. It makes the job so much easier. Hire firms often deliver at a cost, we have a trailer behind the car so collect ourselves.
 
I definitely wouldn't do it from a ladder. I used a Lidl version of the platform and it worked very well. Also useful for such things as putting a bucket up high, near the exhaust outlet to catch the antifreeze when wintering the engine. And when you're antifouling it's nice to have the tray on a 3' high platform to save bending down each time. All sorts of uses.
 
Much depends on the boat’s size and draft. My draft is about 1.6m and I can work on the topsides with a basic platform from Homebase that cost around £130 some years ago and which fits inside my A3, along with a step-ladder that I also need for access. If I had more draft I wouldn’t be happy on the highest setting and a substantial platform as describe above would be needed. A step ladder alone is only OK for smaller boats, say 28’.
 
I have one of the Screwfix type platforms. When my Fulmar, which draws 1.6m, is in the yard cradle which is fairly high off the ground, I find I have to set the platform at a level above the maximum to be able to reach the top of my topsides. I should point out you will be working on a relatively narrow platform with no safety rail behind you whilst working.

Personally stranded, unless you are at least 6' 6" and the keel is close to the ground, I feel you will find this model is too low to work comfortably. Either hire a proper scaffold or buy one (which is the cheaper long term solution).

IMG_1575 1000pix.jpg
This photo shows the height problem of the high cradle and with the platform one rung higher than it should be.
For those interested, the black spray paint was applied to find some scratches and to see how deeep they are for polishing them out.
 
I use a 7-step stepladder. But I suspend my rather heavy polisher on dual bungees hooked as a V on the toe rail so I can do the full height of the topsides without taking its full weight. At each position I can do a strip about 3ft wide limited only by the reach of the bungees.
 
Hoolie said:
I use a 7-step stepladder. But I suspend my rather heavy polisher on dual bungees hooked as a V on the toe rail so I can do the full height of the topsides without taking its full weight. At each position I can do a strip about 3ft wide limited only by the reach of the bungees.
Click to expand...
I'm not enamoured of the stepladder, but the bungee cradle to take the weight of the polisher is a great idea (y) (y)
 
Having recently fallen off a ladder and broken my back (at home) I’m very interested in this subject! I’m not going to be using an ordinary ladder next year to do my topsides, I want something safer!
 
If safety is a serious concern, and considering the cost of something like breaking your back, consider ...
  • Letting someone else do it.
  • Whether it needs done at all. In 40 years of boat ownership I've never felt the need to compound the topsides, and I don't think the boat's looked bad. This one is 20 years old. I never waxed a boat either. Mechanical soundness is a different matter.
A boat is not jewelry, it is a tool for travel.
port%2Bbow%2Bat%2Banchor.jpg


This one is 30 years old. Yes, there is a waterline stain, but it comes back after I clean it, but more importantly, I can't see it when sailing. The decks and cabin are clean.
SAM_3317.JPG
 
thinwater said:
If safety is a serious concern, and considering the cost of something like breaking your back, consider ...
  • Letting someone else do it.
  • Whether it needs done at all. In 40 years of boat ownership I've never felt the need to compound the topsides, and I don't think the boat's looked bad. This one is 20 years old. I never waxed a boat either. Mechanical soundness is a different matter.
A boat is not jewelry, it is a tool for travel.
port%2Bbow%2Bat%2Banchor.jpg


This one is 30 years old. Yes, there is a waterline stain, but it comes back after I clean it, but more importantly, I can't see it when sailing. The decks and cabin are clean.
SAM_3317.JPG
Click to expand...

To each his own.

I have though been persuaded to go for a platform rather than steps - I’ll look at which will give me the height and sturdiness I need. Thanks all as ever for the feedback.
 
For what it’s worth our yard has wheeling steps like a staircase with a short platform at top about 4ft in length-think of stairs wheeled out to planes scaled down. Maybe choose a yard with wheeled steps to borrow at weekends say? Had you thought of looking round a few boatyards to see what’s about.
 
RunAgroundHard said:
I bought this platform initially for hedge cutting but it gets used for lots of things, including a workbench. Adjustable height, folds away, on wheels, wide and long. Works well at the hull side as well.

RocwooD Adjustable Wheeled Racking Foldable Scaffold Platform Hedge Cutting 5398781944251 | eBay
Click to expand...


This is a better piece of equipment for working at height as it has a back to stop you stepping bacjk toadmire you work and fall off as I have dome.

Ends will also prevent you from walking off the end when busy polishing and stepping sideways.

I did that with a big angle grinder and nealy cut one of my finger off.

The hospital manages to repair the finger and all is no OK

This is what I use with a back bar to prevent stepping backwards and falling off H and S

https://flic.kr/p/VKkYBR
 
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